Fire extinguishing system



Dec; 19, 1950 H s ETAL 2,534,252

FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYS'I'EI Filed lay 5, 1947 IN VEN TORS HENRY E. HEIGIS BY CARL W. FRESE ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 19, 1950 FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Henry E. Heigis, Nntiey, N. L, and Carl W. Frese,

New York, N. Y.,

assignors to Specialties Development Corporation, Belleville, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 5, 1947, Serial N0. 745,924

12 Claims. (01. 82-1) The present invention relates to systems for storing and releasing a high pressure fluid medium adapted to be utilized for flre extinguishing and various other purposes.

' medium for subsequent release in the event additional medium is required to extinguish the fire or to extinguish other tires which may occur in the future.

Another object is to provide an improved systcm wherein flrst a plurality of receptacles may be discharged selectively at different intervals and later the remainder of the receptacles may be discharged simultaneously.

A further object consists in the selection and arrangement of control devices to simplify the construction and assembly of the system and to render the system reliable in operation.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein the single figure is a schematic view of a fluid medium storing and dispensing system, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a system of the type adapted for storing and dispensing a fire extinguishing medium under pressure, such as carbon dioxide or the like. Generally described, the system comprises a plurality of primary or control receptacles or containers Ill arranged in pairs, one pair being shown, and a plurality of secondary receptacles or containers ll arranged in pairs, two pairs being shown. The receptacles m and Ii illustrated herein schematically preferably are high pressure commercial cylinders adapted for safely storing liquefied carbon dioxide. While one pair of primary receptacles II and two pairs of secondary receptacles II have been shown, it will be understood that any desired number of pairs may be utilized depending on the size of the system. Preferably, more pairs of secondary receptacles are utilized than primary receptacles which serve principally as a release source of fluid pressure medium for eflecting release of the medium stored in the secondary receptacles.

Each of receptacles Ill and ii is provided with a fluid medium actuated fluid medium.release control means or discharge head i2 comprising retaining means, such as a main valve member ll for closing a port ll surrounded by a main valve seat IS; a chamber I'I having a discharge outlet It; and main valve operating means, such as a fluid actuated piston 20, in a cylinder 2| m separated from the chamber II by a partition or wall 22 having an aperture therein through which a rod 24 extends which operatively connects the main valve member ll for movement with the piston.

25 The outlets I 9 are connected to a common discharge pipe or delivery means 25 by conduit means for establishing fluid flow communication between the outlets of a pair of receptacles and check valve means for preventing fluid in the pipe 25 from flowing into the conduit means to the outlets as about to be described. For each pair of receptacles an inverted Y-check fltting 26 is provided having its upper leg connected to the pipe 26 and having each of its lower legs connected to an outlet 19 of each of a pair of receptacles by a tube 21. The lower legs of the Y-check fltting 26 are placed in fluid flow communication by a passage 29 in the fitting and are separated from the upper leg by a valve seat 30 for receiving a check valve member 2! arranged to be unseated by fluid under pressure flowing from the discharge outlets l9 but serving to prevent the flow of fluid into the tubes 21.

The piston cylinders 2| are placed in fluid flow connection with the outlet 19 of their respective discharge head by means of conduit members 32 connected to the tubes 21 at one of their ends and to the cylinder above the piston at their other end. whereby fluid pressure medium entering any of the tubes 21 is conducted to the cylinder of the discharge head thereof to effect operation of its piston and cause the same to unseat the main valve member. In order to trap the pressure medium in the piston cylinders and cause the pistons to be held in operating position, each of the conduit members 22 is provided with a check 3 valve 34 arranged to permit the medium to flow through the conduit members to the cylinders but to prevent flow oi the medium in the piston cylinders to the tubes 21.

The discharge heads l2 of the receptacles III are each provided with a direct fluid flow connection 35 between the receptacles and the piston cylinder in which is located a pilot valve 38 and a check valve 31 arranged to permit flow of fluid pressure medium to the piston cylinder but to prevent the flow or medium from the cylinder to the receptacle. The check valve 31 in this manner functions like the check valve 34 to trap the fluid medium in the piston cylinder and cause the piston to be held in operating position.

The pilot valves 35 may be provided with suitable actuating means, herein schematically illustrated as pull cable actuated levers 33 adapted to be pivoted simultaneously by a common pull cable 40 to eflect opening the pilot valves whereby fluid medium from the receptacles flows to the piston cylinders. Since such pull cable actuated pilot valves are well known detailed illustration and description thereof is believed to be unnecessary. It will also be understood that the pilot valves may be operated individually or simultaneously by any other locally or remotely manually or automatically operable actuating means.

The discharge head of at least one oi the receptacles ii is provided with a direct fluid flow connection 35 between the receptacle and piston cylinder in which is located a pilot valve 35' and a check valve 31. The pilot valve is provided with fluid pressure operated actuating means 4| comprising a cylinder 42, a piston 44 in the cylinder and a piston rod 45 connected to the piston and arranged to efiect opening of the pilot valve 35'.

One end of the piston rod 45 may extend outwardly oi the cylinder 42 and may be provided with manually engageable means such as a button 45 for eflecting movement oi the rod to cause the pilot valve 36 to be opened.

In order to supply fluid medium to effect operation of the fluid pressure operated actuatin means 4|, the piston cylinder 42 thereof is connected to a conduit 41 which is connected in fluid flow communication with the delivery pipe 25 by a fitting 49 located in the pipe 25 between the primary receptacle connections thereto and the connections of the pair of secondary receptacles adjacent the primary receptacles.

The fitting is arranged to conduct fluid medium discharged into the pipe 25 from the primary receptacles into the conduit 41 and to prevent the fluid medium discharged into the pipe 25 from the secondary receptacles from entering the conduit 41. The fitting also serves to prevent the flow oi. fluid medium released from the primary receptacles into the portion of the pipe on the downstream side of the fitting until a predetermined pressure is established in the conduit 41 which is eflective to cause operation of the pilot valve actuating means.

To accomplish this, the fitting 43 comprises an inlet 50 and an outlet 52 for connection in the pipe 25, an outlet in unobstructed fluid flow communicationwith the inlet 50 for connection to the conduit 41, a valve seat 53 between the outlets 5| and 52, a check valve member 54, and a spring 55 ior urging the valve member on the seat 53. The seat, valve member and spring are arranged to prevent the flow of fluid from the outlet 52 to the outlet 5|, to permit the flow or fluid from the inlet 59 to the outlet 5|, and to 4 permit the flow oi fluid from the inlet 50 to the outlet 52 when it has attained a pressure sumcient to overcome the spring and unseat the valve member.

While the system in accordance with the present invention has been illustrated and described as having receptacles I I arranged in pairs it will be appreciated that thesereceptacles also can be arranged in groups of three or more with one receptacle in each group being provided with an actuating means 4|, and a fluid flow connection 35 having a pilot valve 35' therein.

In operation, when it is desired to discharge all of the receptacles in the system, the cable 40 is pulled towards the left, as shown, to pivot the levers 39 and open the pilot valves 35 of the discharge heads of the receptacles Ill. The fluid medium'in these receptacles is then conducted through the connections 35 to the piston cylinders 2 I, and the pistons 2| are moved downwardly to unseat the main valve members l4, whereby fluid medium is discharged through the ports I5 into the chambers l1, through the outlets l9 and to the Y-check fittings 25 .by the tubes 21. Upon entering the fitting 26 the check valve member 3| is unseated and pressure medium flows into the delivery pipe 25. A portion of the pressure medium in the tubes 21 enters the conduit members 32, flows past the check valves 34, and is trapped in the cylinder 2 I, whereby the piston 20 is retained in its main valve member unseating position to ensure complete discharge of the medium in the receptacles.

The fluid medium in the pipe 25 enters the inlet 50 of the fitting 49 and leaves by way of the outlet 5|, enters the conduit 41, and flows into the pressure operated pilot valve actuating means 4|. The pressure medium expands in the cylinder 42 and moves the piston 44 therein to cause the rod 45 to effect opening of the pilot valve 36', whereby pressure medium in the receptacle Ii provided with the pilot valve 35' flows through the direct fluid flow connection 35, past the check valve 31 and into the cylinder 2|. The piston 20 of the discharge head l2 associated with this receptacle is then moved downwardly to effect unseating of the main valve member.

The pressure medium in the receptacle is discharged into the tube 21 associated therewith and a portion thereof is conducted by the conduit member 32 past the check valve 34 and is trapped in the cylinder 2| to retain the piston 2|! in main valve unseating position. Another portion of the pressure medium released is conducted by means of the passage 29 in the Y-check fitting into the tube 21 of the other receptacle I I, enters the conduit member 32, flows past the check valve 34, enters the cylinder 2| and is trapped therein, and operates the piston 20 to eflect unseating of the main valve member I4 01' the aforementioned other receptacle I l. Both receptacles II are then discharged substantially simultaneously through the Y-check fitting into the pipe 25.

When sufllcient pressure has been established in the conduit 41 to effectively operate the actuating means 4| connected thereto, the pressure medium discharge from the receptacles I9 is effective to overcome the spring 55 in the fitting 49, unseat the valve member 54 therein, and flow through the outlet 52 and continue through the pipe 25.

When it is desired to individually and selectively discharge one or more pairs or receptacles II, the actuating means 4| oi the pair selected is operated manually by moving the push button towards the left, as shown, whereby the pilot valve it is opened and discharge of the selected containers is elected in the same manner as when the actuating means ll are operated by pressure medium from the receptacles It.

When pairs or receptacles II are discharged selectively, discharge of the receptacles i is prevented by the check valve fltting 49 in the pipe 26 and would further be prevented by the Y-check valve fltting 26 associated with the receptacles ll.

Operation of the discharge heads of non-selected receptacles II by way of the tubes 21 and conduit member 32 is prevented by the Y-check fittings 2t and operation of such discharge heads by way of the pilot valves 36' is prevented by the check valve fitting 48 which prevents pressure medium discharged from any of the receptacles ll into the pipe 25 from flowing into the conduit 41 associated with the actuating means ll.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved system for discharging and distributing flre extinguishing medium or the like in desired selected quantities, either substantially simultaneously or individually at desired intervals of time. The system in this manner is fully adapted to cope with various types oi flre extinguishing problems in a simple and reliable manner, and due to its flexibility of operation is readily adapted for many types of installations having a wide range of ditferent requirements. The devices employed in the system are constructed and arranged in a manner that they function in their intended manner at all times, and do not require supervision or maintenance.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

We claim:

1. In combination, a pair of receptacles containin a fluid under pressure, main valve means for each receptacle adapted to retain thefluid therein and including an outlet through which the fluid is to be released, delivery means into which the fluidfrom said receptacles is delivered when it is released, conduit means connecting said delivery means and said outlets ineluding a connection for establishing fluid flow communication between both of said outlets, check valve means between said connection and said delivery means for preventing fluid in said delivery means from flowing through said conduit means to said outlets, fluid actuated means for each of said main valve means adapted to be operated to cause its main valve means to release fluid from its receptacle, one of said receptacles having a fluid flow connection between its main valve means outlet and said fluid actuated operating'means of its main valve means and the other of said receptacles having a direct fluid flow connection to the fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, pilot valve means in said direct fluid flow connection, and means for actuating said pilot valve means.

2. In combination, a pair oi receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, main valve means for each receptacle adapted to retain the fluid therein including an outlet through which the fluid is to be released, delivery means into which the fluid from said receptacles is delivered when it is released, conduit means connecting said delivery means and said outlets including a connection for establishing fluid flow communication between both 01' said outlets, check valve means between said connection and said delivery means ior preventing fluid in said delivery means from flowing through said conduit means to said outlets, fluid actuated means for each oi said main valve means adapted to be operated to cause its main valve means to release fluid from its receptacle, each receptacle having a fluid flow connection between its main valve means outlet and said fluid actuated operating means or its main valve means, at least one of said receptacles having a direct fluid flow connection to the fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, pilot valve means in said direct fluid flow connection, and means for actuating said pilot valve means.

3. In combination, a plurality of pairs of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, main valve means for each receptacle adapted to retain the fluid therein including an outlet through which the fluid is to be released, delivery means into which the fluid from said receptacles is delivered when it is released, conduit means connecting said delivery means and said outlets, a fluid flow connection between said conduit means of each pair of receptacles, check valve means between said connection and said delivery means for preventing fluid in said delivery means from flowing through said conduit means to said outlets, fluid actuated means for each of said main valve means adapted to be operated to cause its main valve means to release fluid from its receptacle, one of each of said pairs of receptacles having a fluid flow connection between its main valve means outlet and said fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, the other receptacle of each of said pairs 01 receptacles having a direct fluid flow connection to the fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, pilot valve means in each of said direct fluid flow connections, and means for actuating each of said pilot valve means;

4. In combination, a plurality of pairs of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, main valve means for each receptacle adapted to retain the fluid therein including an outlet through which the fluid is to be released, delivery means into which the fluid from said receptacles is delivered when it is released, a plurality of conduit means connecting said delivery means and each of said outlets including a fluid flow connection between said conduit means of each pair of receptacles, check valve means between said connection and said delivery means for preventin fluid in said delivery means from flowing throu h said conduit means to said outlets, fluid actuated means for each of said main valve means adapted to be operated to cause its main valve means to release fluid from its receptacle, each receptacle having a fluid flow connection between its main valve means outlet and said fluid actuated operating means 01' its main valve means one of said receptacles of each of said pairs of receptacles having a direct fluid flow connection to the fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, pilot valve means in each of said direct fluid flow connections, and meansfor actuating each of said pilot valve means.

, 5. In combination, a plurality of pairs of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, main valve means for each receptacle adapted to retain the fluid therein including an outlet through which the fluid is to be released, delivery means into which the fluid from said receptacles is delivered when it is released, a plurality of conduit means connecting said delivery means and each of said outlets including a fluid flow connection between said conduit means of each pair of receptacles, check valve means between said connection and said delivery means for preventing fluid in said delivery means from flowing through said conduit means to said outlets, fluid actuated means for each of said main valve means adapted to be operated to cause its main valve means to release fluid from its receptacle, each receptacle having a fluid flow connection between its main valve means outlet and said fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, both said receptacles of one of said pairs and one receptacle of the other of said pairs having a direct fluid flow connection to the fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, pilot valve means in each of said direct fluid flow connections, and means for actuating each of said pilot valve means.

6. In combination, a plurality of pairs of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, main valve means for each receptacle adapted to retain the fluid therein including an outlet through which the fluid is to be released, delivery means into which the fluid from said receptacles is delivered when it is released, conduit means connecting said delivery means and said outlets, a fluid flow connection between said conduit means of each pair of receptacles, check valve means between said connection and said delivery means for preventing fluid in said delivery means from flowing through said conduit means to said outlets, fluid actuated means for each of said main valve means adapted to be operated to cause its main-valve means to release fluid from its receptacle, one of each of said pairs of receptacles having a fluid flow connection between its main valve means outlet and said fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, the other receptacle of each of said pairs of receptacles having a direct fluid flow connection to the fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, pilot valve means in each of said direct fluid flow connections, fluid pressure operated means associated with each of said pilot valve means for actuating said pilot valve means, conduit means operatively inter-connecting all of said pilot valve actuating means adapted to transmit an operating force for the operation of said pilof valve actuating means, and a receptacle containing fluid under pressure in operative connection with said last named conduit means.

7. In combination, a plurality of pairs of receptacles containing afluid under pressure, main valve means for each receptacle adapted to retain the fluid therein including an outlet through which the fluid is to be released, delivery means into which the fluid from said receptacles is delivered when it is released, conduit means connecting said delivery means and saidoutlets, a fluid flow connection between said conduit means of each pair of receptacles, check valve means between said connection and said delivery means for preventing fluid in said delivery means from flowing through said conduit means to said outlets, fluid actuated means for each of said main valve means adapted to be operated to cause its main valve means to release fluid from its receptacle, each receptacle having a, fluid flow connection between its main valve means outlet and said fluid actuated operatingmeans of its main valve means, one of said receptacles oi each of said pairs oi. receptacles having a direct fluid flow connection to the fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, pilot valve means in each of said direct fluid flow connections, fluid pressure operated means associated with each of said pilot valve means for actuating said pilot valve means, conduit means operatively interconnecting all of said pilot valve actuating means, and a receptacle containing fluid under pressure in operative connection with said last named conduit means.

8. In combination, a receptacle containing a fluid under pressure, main valve means for retaining the fluid in said receptacle, delivery means into which the fluid from said receptacle is delivered when it is released, fluid actuated means for operating said main valve means to release the fluid from said receptacle, a direct fluid flow connection between said operating means and said receptacle, pilot valve means in said fluid flow connection, fluid pressure operated means associated with said pilot valve means for actuating said pilot valve means, conduit means for said pilot valve actuating means adapted to transmit an operating force for the operation of said pilot valve actuating means, a receptacle contai, ing fluid under pressure in operative connecti i with said conduit means and said delivery means, and check valve means in said delivery means for preventing the fluid released from said flrst receptacle into said delivery means from flowing into said conduit means.

9. In combination, a plurality of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, main valve means for each receptacle adapted to retain the fluid therein, delivery means into which the fluid from said receptacles is delivered when it is released, fluid actuated means for each of said main valve means adapted tobe operated to cause said main valve means to release fluid from its receptacle, a direct fluid flow connection between each of said operating means and its receptacle, pilot valve means in each of said fluid flow connections, fluid pressure operated means associated with each of said pilot valve means for actuating said pilot valve means, conduit means operatively inter-connecting all of said pilot valve actuating means adapted to transmit an operating force for the operation of said ilot valve actuating means, a receptacle containing fluid under pressure in operative connection with. said conduit means and said deliverey means, and check valve means in said delivery means for preventing the fluid released from said first mentioned receptacles into said delivery means from flowing into said conduit means.

10. In combination, a pair of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, main valve means for each of said receptacles adapted to retain the fluid therein including an outlet through which the fluid is to be released, delivery means into which the fluid from said receptacles is delivered when-it is released, conduit means connecting said delivery means and said outlets including a connection for establishing fluid flow communication between said outlets, check valve means between said connection and said delivery means for preventing fluid in said delivery means from flowing through said conduit means to said outlets, fluid actuated means for each of said main valve means adapted to be operated to cause its main valve means to release fluid from its receptacle, one of said receptacles having a fluid flow connection between said main valve means outlet and said fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, the other receptacle having a direct fluid flow connection to the fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, pilot valve means in said direct fluid flow connection, and fluid pressure operated means for actuating said pilot valve means.

11. In combination, a pair of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, main valve means for each receptacle adapted to retain the fluid therein including an outlet through which the fluid is to be released, delivery means into which the fluid from said receptacles is delivered when it is released, conduit means connecting said delivery means and said outlets including a connection for establishing fluid flow communication between said outlets, check valve means between, said connection and said delivery means for preventing fluid in said delivery means from flowing through said conduit means to said outlets, fluid actuated means for each of said main valve means adapted to be operated to cause its main valve means to release fluid from its receptacle, one of said receptacles having a fluid flow connection between said main valve means outlet and said fluid actuated operating means 01' its main valve means, and the other receptacle having a direct fluid flow connection to the fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, pilot valve means in said direct fluid flow connection. means for actuating said pilot valve 'means, conduit means for said pilot valve actuating means adapted to transmit an operating force for the operation of said pilot valve actuating means, a receptacle containing fluid under pressure in operative connection with said last named conduit means and said delivery means, and check valve means in said delivery means for preventing the fluid released from said pair of receptacles into said delivery means from flowing into said last named conduit means.

12. In combination, a plurality of pairs of receptacles containing a fluid under pressure, main valve means for each receptacle adapted to retain the fluid therein including an outlet through which the fluid is to be released, delivery means into which the fluid from said receptacles is delivered when it is released, conduit means connecting said delivery means and said outlets, a fluid flow connection between said conduit means of each pair of receptacles, check valve means between said connection and said delivery means for preventing fluid in said delivery means from flowing through said conduit means to said outlets, fluid actuated means for each of said main valve means adapted to be operated to cause its main valve means to release fluid from its receptacle, one of each of said pairs of receptacles having a fluid flow connection between said main valve means outlet and said fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, the other receptacle of each of said pairs having a direct fluid flow connection to said fluid actuated operating means of its main valve means, pilot valve means in each of said direct fluid flow connections, fluid pressure operated means associated with each of said pilot valve means for actuating said pilot valve means, conduit means operatively inter-connecting all of said pilot valve actuating means adapted to transmit an operating force for the operation of said pilot valve actuating means, a receptacle containing fluid under pressure in operative connection with said last named conduit means and said delivery means, and check valve means in said delivery means for preventing the fluid released from said first mentioned receptacles into said delivery means from flowing into said last named conduit means.

HENRY E. HEIGIS.

CARL W. FRESE.

REFERENCES orrnn The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,307,784 Mapes Jan. 12, 1943 2,412,813 Grant Dec. 17, 1946 

